What are the definitions of “chop up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Cut into small pieces.
I CHOPPED UP the vegetables for the soup.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “chop up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb chop up is to cut something into small pieces, usually with a knife or other sharp tool. This is often used when preparing food, such as cutting vegetables, fruits, or meat.
What are the different verb forms of “chop up”?
| Root Verb | chop up |
| Third Person Singular Present | chops up |
| Present Participle | chopping up |
| Simple Past | chopped up |
| Past Participle | chopped up |
Example
Please chop up the onions for the salad.
Example
She chops up the carrots for the stir-fry.
Example
He is chopping up the tomatoes for the sauce.
Example
Yesterday, they chopped up all the ingredients for the soup.
Example
The vegetables were chopped up and ready to be cooked.
What kind of phrasal verb is “chop up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“chop up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She chopped up the vegetables.
Example
He chopped the onions up for the recipe.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“chop up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She chopped up the vegetables.
Example
He chopped the onions up for the recipe.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “chop up”?
Chop up ingredients
Cutting various food items into small pieces for cooking or preparing a dish.
Example
She chopped up the ingredients for the salad.
Good things to know
Does “chop up” have an informal or formal tone?
Chop up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, especially when discussing food preparation or other activities that involve cutting things into smaller pieces.
